Interchangeable-letter sign.



"C A. McNE AL INTERCHANGEABLE LETTER SIGN APPLICATION FILED NOV. 30, IBIS.

' Patented July 4. 1916.

CHARLES A. Moment, of

INTERCHANGEABLE-LETTER SIGN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 4, 1916.

Application filed November 30, 1915. Serial No. 64,309.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, Cnannns A. MoNnAL, citizen of the United States, resident of Newark, in the. county of Licking and State of Ohio, have made a certain new and useful Invention in Interchangeablc-Letter Signs; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the invention, reference being bad to the accomof referengg narked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a front view of the invention partlybroken away. Fig. 2 is a plan View of the same. Fig. 3 is a section on the line 2-3 Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the end section and one letter section or panel, the key member being shown as partly removed.

The invention has relation to illuminated signs having interchangeable letters, having for its object to provide an improved sign wherein the reading matter may be quickly set up and quickly changed, tlTe joints between the letters bcing light proof and the letter panels being securely locked to each other and to the frame of the sign.

The invention consists in the novel construction and combinations of pa rts, as hereinafter set forth. In the accompanying drawings, illustrating the invention, the numeral 3 designates the sign box or frame, having suitable means ofinterior illumination and provided with a continuous unobstructed opening 3 extending longitudinally thereof. At the sides of this opening, being at top and bottom thereof in a horizontal sign, the frame is provided with longitudinal grooves 4, 4, usually through the lnedium of outwardly extending top and bottom strips 5, 5, having respectively at their outer ends upturned and,downturned flanges 5, 5'.

(S, (3 designate the letter panels, which are provided each at the outer sidcwith lateral or vertical flanges 7, 7, directed toward each other, and upon the reverse side with top and bottom horizontal flanges 8, 8, directed respectively downward and upward. The

letter panels are slid into engagement with the flanges of the frame, to cover the opening thereof, from either end of said opening, one after another, to make the word or words desired, the top and bottom flanges of the toward each other and engaging the oppositely directed outer flanges of adjacent panels, in a light tight manner, the engagement of the letter panels with the flanges of the frame being similarly light'tight. The tie members serve to lock the line of letters together, and each said member isprovided with a stop lug 11, engagingiheletter panel to limit the sliding movement of the key.

At each end of a line of letters end plates 12, 12 are provided, each of which has a lateral or vertical flange 13 directed toward the end of the frame, the endmost tie member having engagement with this flange and with the oppositely directed flange of the endmost letter panel. The end plates have each a right-angle flange 14, covering the end of the longitudinal opening of the frame.

Blank panels are provided for spacing when needed.

The sign is designed to be quickly assembled, dismantled and reassembled, and there being no electrical connections required in setting up the reading matter, skilled labor is dispensed with.

I claim 1. In an interchangeable letter sign, a frame having a longitudinal guideway, and a chain composed of alined letter panels and of removable transverse slidable tie means separate from and locking said panels together, said chain. sliding as a whole in said guidcway.

2. In an interchangeable letter sign, a frame having a longitudinal opening provided with. an open-end guideway bounding said opening, and a chain composed of alined letter panels and of removable transverse slidable tie means located at the joints of and separate from and locking said panels together, said chain slida'ble as a whole in said guideway.

3. In an interchangeable letter sign, a frame having a longitudinal guideway, and a chain composed of alined letter panels having flanges and of removable transverse slidablc tie in ans having flanges engaging the flanges and located at the joints of the panels, said chain slidable as a whole in said guideway.

4. In an interchangeable letter sign, a frame having a longitudinal guideivay, and a chain composed of alined letter panels having outer undercut flanges and of removable transverse slidable .tie means having upon the reverse side undercut flanges engaging the flanges and located at the joints of the panels, said chain slidable as a whole in said guideway.

In an interchangeable letter sign, a series of alined letter panels having outward projecting flanges, and sliding tie members having inward projecting flanges embracing and locking the flanges of said panels together into a composite whole.

6. In an interchangeable letter sign,, a frame having a longitudinal opening and undercut flanges bounding said opening, a series of alined letter panels having upon the reverse side undercut flanges engaging the flanges of said frame and upon the outer side underr t flanges, and tie members having upon '51 =e reverse side undercut flanges engaging tae flanges of said panels.

7. In an interchangeable letter sign, a frame having a longitudinal opening an undercut flanges bounding said opening, a series of alined letter panels and end panels having upon the reverse side undercut flanges engaging the flanges of said frame and upon the outer side undercut flanges; and tie members having upon the reverse side undercut flanges engaging the outer flanges of said panels, said end panels having flanges covering in the ends of said openings.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

C. A. MoNEAL.

\Vitnesses Enrrn \Vntsn, Mam; U'rluvi-is. 

